REPORT- BERNIE ECCLESTONE FORMER F1 BOSS, 91, ARRESTED FOR POSSESION OF GUN WHILE BOARDING PRIVATE PLANE.
Ecclestone acknowledged owning the gun, but was unaware it was in his luggage, police said.
Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone was arrested in Brazil Wednesday for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane, according to multiple reports.
Ecclestone, 91, was boarding the plane to Switzerland when Brazilian police said they found an undocumented LW Seecamp .32 gun in his luggage during an X-ray screening at Viracopos airport in Campinas, Reuters reported.
While Ecclestone was unaware the gun was in his luggage, he acknowledged owning the weapon, which was seized after the incident, police said.
The former executive was released to continue his journey to Switzerland after paying 6,060 Brazilian reals ($1,240).
Ecclestone is married to Brazilian-born Fabiana Ecclestone and is a frequent visitor to the South American country.
Gun owners are allowed to possess firearms in Brazil if they can prove they need the weapons for their own security.
The former boss told authorities he kept the pistol on a farm in Sao Paulo after buying the weapon from a Formula One mechanic roughly five years ago.
Ecclestone, who was listed by Forbes as having a net worth of $3.4 billion in 2021, spent roughly four decades as the head of Formula One before stepping down in 2017.
He gained a marketing grip on Formula One in the late 1970s by selling its TV rights and the British business magnate controlled the sport until his decision to step down.
Ecclestone continues to attend races and meet drivers.
